As the lead agency responsible for driving Malaysia’s digital economy, MDEC registered a growth of 56 per cent in Approved Investments and Foreign Direct Investments in 2015. Total investments inflow from MSC Malaysia companies reached RM19.8bil last year. The agency recorded highest increase in new investments since MSC Malaysia’s establishment in 1996 (RM 4.6bil in 2015).

“2015 was a significant year for us. New investments inflow reached a 20-year record high and for the first time ever, export sales for MSC Malaysia exceeded our expectations. MSC Malaysia’s performance and growth is testament to the progress we are making in executing our Digital Economy strategy as well as boosting investors’ confidence and faith in our local ICT industry,” said Dato’ Yasmin Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation.

Highest Export Sales in Ten Years

Export sales from MSC Malaysia companies contributed RM16.2bil from RM13.7bil in 2014, an 18 per cent increase. The Global Business Services (GBS) cluster contributed the highest (69 per cent) to the overall export sales.

“Local MSC Malaysia companies showcased promising growth in 2015, as export sales increased by 9 per cent (RM3.7bil). We are proud to share that MSC Malaysia recorded the highest increase in overall export sales since 2010,” said Dato’ Yasmin.

“This is an important milestone for MDEC in championing local MSC Malaysia companies as they tap regional and global markets. It is encouraging to see our local tech icons grow stronger year-on-year and contribute back to our economy,” said Dato’ Yasmin.

Focus areas continue to show positive growth

2015 was also a very positive year for the new growth areas including Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud & Data Centre, Big Data Analytics (BDA), Security and eCommerce. These focus areas contributed about 10 per cent (RM1.65bil) to the total export sales last year.

“Our efforts in the last two years in these focus areas have started to show very encouraging results. Our Cloud & Data Centre focus area saw the most promising growth last year,” said Dato’ Yasmin.

The animation sector recorded an impressive growth in exports (52 per cent growth). This was underpinned by key companies such as Animonsta, Giggle Garage, Tau Films, Les Copaque and many more. The Games sector, on the other hand, is growing rapidly from a small base, with a six-fold increase in year-on-year growth in export sales.

MDEC’s plan moving forward

In the coming years, MDEC will be looking into four key areas in envisioning the Digital Malaysia goals mandated by the Prime Minister. MDEC will continue to drive a sustainable digital economy built upon a vibrant domestic IT industry, transformative use of digital solutions by the government, businesses and citizens, as well as a robust enabling ecosystem. This constitutes:

Driving Investments: Attract more foreign direct investments into the country with MSC Malaysia status offerings

Growing Local Technology Champions: Increase efforts to accelerate local MSC Malaysia companies to be competitive globally

Catalysing Digital Innovation Ecosystems: Expand opportunities in focus areas such as eCommerce, Cloud, Creative Technology, Internet-of-Things (IoT) as well as Big Data Analytics (BDA). The Talent ecosystem then serves as a key imperative to support the development of these focus areas.

Digital Inclusivity (Merakyatkan Ekonomi Digital): Drive the ‘inclusive’ approach of encouraging Malaysians from all walks of life to earn additional income through digital means via the eRezeki and eUsahawan initiatives.

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About Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), previously known as Multimedia Development Corporation, was incorporated in 1996 to strategically advise the Malaysian government on legislation, policies and standards for ICT and multimedia operations as well as to oversee the development of the Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor (now MSC Malaysia), the platform to nurture the growth of Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the IT industry whilst attracting participation from global ICT companies to invest in and develop cutting edge digital and creative solutions in Malaysia.

In 2011, MDEC’s mandate was broadened by the Prime Minister to include driving Malaysia’s transition towards a developed digital economy by 2020 through Digital Malaysia. In 2012, Digital Malaysia was officially unveiled as the nation’s transformational programme to achieve this aim. Digital Malaysia is the national agenda towards a sustainable digital economy built upon a vibrant domestic ICT industry, transformative use of digital solutions by government, businesses and citizens, as well as a robust enabling ecosystem.

Today, both MSC Malaysia and Digital Malaysia run concurrently to spur Malaysia’s ICT industry development and digital transformation, under the purview of MDEC.